With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. But, the first weekend included a number of statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the team, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
